Obanliku Local Government Chairman, Evang. Hon. Margaret Inde and Hon. Sunday Achunekang, Member Representing Obanliku State House of Assembly, have received Peace Ambassador Award from Message Point Assembly Ministry.

The awards were received by the awardees during the 41 years birthday celebration and thanksgiving ceremony of Pst. Bassey Udosen, the head pastor of Message Point Assembly, Calabar.

Receiving the award, Hon. Margaret Inde thanked Message Point Assembly for finding her worthy of the award, noting that over the years, Obanliku LGA which was known for constantly being at war with neighboring Benue state, seized fighting and peace restored to both communities during her administration.

Inde explained that the usual conflict and crimes at Utanga/Becheve axis of Obanliku was also put to rest and peace restored to the area under her administration.

She further dedicated the Award to God and pledged to keep up the good work and maintain, advocate peace in conflict zones and wherever she finds herself.

Also, Hon Achunekang thanked the Church for the honor and pledged to always support, advocate and promote peace at all levels and where necessary.

The National Population Commission 2023 Census which was billed to take place across the country between May 3 and 5 has been postponed indefinitely.

According Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, in a statement issued on Saturday, said that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the postponement of the forthcoming census.

He said the new date for the census will be determined by the incoming administration.

It was learnt by SentryTimes that On Friday, a federal high court in Abuja rejected an application seeking to halt the census, explaining that Omotuyi Ademola had approached the court with an ex-parte application seeking a postponement for six months.

He prayed the court to declare that the National Population Commission (NPC) is currently underfunded and therefore unprepared to conduct a credible, effective and constitutional census.

However, Inyang Ekwo, the presiding judge, refused to grant the motion ex parte and asked the applicant to put the defendant, the NPC, on notice.

Ekwo said the NPC should appear in court to show cause why the applicant’s motion should not be granted.

The matter was adjourned until May 5.

The All Progressives Party (APC) has said that it is yet to zone the leadership of the 10th National Assembly to any region.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Barr. Felix Morka, the party said its attention has been drawn to versions of zoning arrangements for the 10th National Assembly leadership positions in circulation in sections of social media.

According to the brief communique, the APC said such zoning arrangements did not emanate from the Party and should be disregarded.

“To be clear, the Party has yet to zone positions of leadership of the 10th National Assembly,” the statement stressed.

The party further noted that any decisions made in this regard will be duly communicated via the Party’s official information channels.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has written to President-elect Bola Tinubu ahead of his inauguration.

In the letter seen by TheCable, Sunak said he “looks forward to working” with Tinubu who won the presidential election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in February.

Sunak said he hopes to welcome Tinubu to London in April 2024 for the second Africa Investment Summit.

He said the summit will be a “key moment” to strengthen UK-Nigerian business partnerships “in order to create jobs and growth, increase bilateral trade and investment, and support your aim of boosting Nigeria’s exportcompetitiveness”.

The prime minister said the UK will continue to support Nigeria in addressing its security challenges through the sharing of expertise and tools.

“The UK has been a longstanding partner of Nigeria and we stand ready to support your efforts to build peace, unity and prosperity in Nigeria. The UK Government welcomed the opportunity to hear your priorities when you met the Minister of State for Development and Africa last year. I am proud of our work supporting access to education and healthcare, improving governance, and helping meet the humanitarian needs of those affected by conflict,” the letter reads in part.

“Together, we can expand our partnership further, including by strengthening our trade and investment relationship for the mutual prosperity of both our countries through an Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership.

“I also hope to continue our work in addressing the security challenges facing Nigeria and the wider region. Such challenges are not limited by borders; it is vital that we share expertise and tools to combat them. The National SecurityAdviser looks forward to further dialoguewith your National Security Adviser later this year.

“The deep bond between our two nations comes not only from our shared heritage and the links between our people, including through education, the arts, and sport, but also our unique relationship through the Commonwealth.

“We can take pride in its values of democracy, good governance and cooperation. Through this forum, we will continue working in partnership to tackle global challenges like climate change, with its unique impact on Nigeria and your wider region, I believe our shared leadership on this can play a vital role.”

Sunak added that his government will continue liaising with Tinubu and his team “through the transition period and following your inauguration”.

President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to hand over power to Tinubu on May 29.

[TheCable]

Cross River State Deputy Governor Prof Ivara Esu, has described projects embarked upon and completed by the Executive Chairman of Obanliku Local Government Area, Evang. Hon. Mrs Margaret Inde as developmental.

Speaking while inspecting some projects in Obanliku, Prof Esu commended Inde for her giant developmental strides.

Some of the projects inspected include:
•Amana Bridge linking communities in Amana , Becheve Ward
• Inspection of Lockup Stores in Sankwala
• Visit to the project site of a storey building being erected for the Paramount Ruler, HRM Uchua Dr Amos Item (JP)
• Basang West Road
• Bayaga-Ketting Road amongst others

While confirming the importance of the Bridge in Amana, one of the village Heads of Ranch in Becheve Ward, Chief Ikpe Inyimanyi said that the present administration has some of the best projects, because there are people’s centered projects. He also advocated for a bridge linking to the Cameroon more security to give access to the Boarder. Chief Ikpe equally Raised concerns about lack of network coverage.

Chief Sunday Ayawa, village Head of Amana also joined in commending the initiative of the Inde’s administration.

Prof IVARA ESU further commended the Executive Chairman, Evang. Hon. Margaret Inde for her developmental strides.

The tour which is part of the statewide inspection of projects in the life of Prof Ben Ayade’s administration had in the inspection tour; Honorable Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Dr Stella Odey; The SA Local Government, Hon. Egbung Odama; Local Government Management Members and other top government functionaries, including the Local Government appointees were fully on ground.

— Akpo John U

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has dissolved its Presidential Campaign Council.

The campaign council was constituted to ensure the victory of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu in the last election.

The dissolution was disclosed in a statement signed by the council’s Director General, Governor Simon Lalong and the Secretary, James Faleke.

Lalong commended President Muhammadu Buhari for supporting the council during the election period.

According to Lalong, the council won’t have achieved its result without Buhari’s support.

He said, “However, we have concluded that it is in the best interest of the campaign and its stakeholders for us to dissolve our council with immediate effect.

“This has become necessary to retune us towards the May 29, 2023, inauguration of the President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

“The process of transitioning into a new era of Renewed Hope is underway and all our energies and activities must reflect the principles underlying this process.”